Saskatoon Public Library workers will strike again on Tuesday

Public libraries in Saskatoon will be closed for a one-day strike on Tuesday, the second such job action this month.

Workers went on a one-day strike on Nov. 12 in support of negotiating a new contract that includes improved wages and strategies to address safety concerns after being without a collective agreement since June 2023.

On Nov. 12 union members were picketing at the Frances Morrison Central Library and will be doing so again on Nov. 19.

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• Saskatoon Public Library workers issue strike notice, wages, safety
• ‘Cannot act as a shelter:’ Saskatoon libraries limit hours for safety
• Saskatoon central library project delayed after construction bids exceed budget

Members of CUPE 2669, the union that represents around 270 public library employees in Saskatoon, voted 95 per cent in favour of job action in June 2024. A tentative agreement was reached with Saskatoon Public Libraries (SPL) in September, but the deal was voted down by members.

SPL said in a news release on Tuesday that an offer was made to CUPE 2669 on Nov. 10 that included “all previous proposals”, as well as additional paid sick time to circulation associates and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address staffing at Frances Morrison Central Library, directly responding to the safety and security concerns raised by the union.

Library employees say there has been an escalation of safety incidents at Saskatoon libraries, including violence, verbal attacks, physical abuse and, in some cases,  allegations of attempted sexual assaults and abductions.

SPL said the union had yet to send a response to their Nov. 10 offer.

“We are committed to the bargaining process and look forward to our next mediation date scheduled for Nov. 27,” said Carol Shepstone, Director of Libraries and CEO of SPL, said in the release.

“The employer made a verbal offer in mediation on Nov. 7. The subsequent formal offer issued on Nov. 10 was different from what was discussed in mediation and did not go far enough to improve safety provisions or wages for library workers,”  CUPE 2669’s Katherine Norton said in statement to 660 CKOM on Monday, adding that the Nov. 19 strike was in response to “the employer’s inadequate offer”.

“Library workers are ready to get back to the table when the employer is willing to make improvements to safety provisions, wages, and benefits for all library workers,” Norton said in the statement.

Libraries will reopen on Nov. 20.

— with files from Alex Brown, 650 CKOM

Read more:

• Saskatoon Public Library workers issue strike notice, wages, safety
• ‘Cannot act as a shelter:’ Saskatoon libraries limit hours for safety
• Saskatoon central library project delayed after construction bids exceed budget